GLOBAL INSECURITY

Putin calls for Russian military upgrades

As Obama warns U.S. troop cuts loom

(WASHINGTON TIMES) Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country needs an immediate and massive military upgrade by 2016 and has called on his top brass to put the wheels in motion.

On Wednesday, he told top defense ministry and military officials that Russia is seeing “insistent attempts” from world powers, and the United States in particular, to upset the balance of missile defense, The Associated Press reported. He said the United States was trying to take the lead in world power and establish a new missile defense system, AP said.

His statements come at a time when Israel and the United States successfully tested a new missile defense system, the Arrow 3, which is aimed at shooting down long-range missiles
.